[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E663-E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATIONS TO GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL HONOREES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 1998

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I 
congratulate Janet Haynes, Gail Thompson and the Matsushita Electric 
Corporation of America for their selection as honorees at this year's 
Women of Distinction Luncheon, sponsored by the Girl Scout Council of 
Greater Essex and Hudson Counties. This year's luncheon will take place 
on April 23 at the Holiday Inn/North in Newark, NJ.
  Janet Haynes, who will receive the Girl Scout World of People award, 
is a native of Jersey City. She serves as country clerk for the County 
of Hudson. Through her election to this post, she became the highest 
ranking African-American official in the history of Hudson County and 
the only African-American to serve as county clerk in the state of New 
Jersey.
  A former girl scout, Haynes is actively involved in volunteer work. 
She has served as the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the board of 
directors of the Hudson County

[[Page E664]]

Health Systems Agency and is also chairperson of the United Way of 
Hudson County.
  Gail Thompson, who will received the Girl Scout World of Today and 
Tomorrow award, is a registered architect who currently serves as vice-
president of design and construction, for the New Jersey Performing 
Arts Center, Newark, NJ. Thompson, who holds a degree in architecture 
from the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY and a master's degree in real 
estate and finance form Rutgers University, Newark, has also served as 
assistant vice-president of facilities planning and development at the 
American Stock Exchange.
  In addition, Thompson is very involved with volunteer work. A 
commercial pilot and flight instructor, Thompson has been actively 
involved in exposing minority youth to aviation. She is the founder of 
a summer aviation camp for high school students.
  The Corporate Award is being given to Matsushita Electric Corporation 
of America, located in Secaucus, NJ. Matsushita has consistently made 
generous contributions to the Girl Scouts, and their employees have 
been active volunteers in many Girl Scout programs.
  I would like to congratulate all three of the recipients for their 
work with the Girl Scouts and wish them continued success in all of 
their endeavors.

                          ____________________